Red Tails: Tuskegee Airmen of World War II

This exhibit focused on the contributions of African Americans to the United States Military and the creation of the Army Air Corps at Tuskegee Institute in July 1941. It was also dedicated to the service of Little Rock’s own Lt. Colonel Woodrow “Woody” Crockett who graduated from Dunbar High School in 1939.

The exhibit honored the monumental service of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. They were called the “Red Tail Angels” by the white pilots, because of their reputation of never losing a bomber on a mission.

The success of the African American pilots led the way for policy change within the United States Military. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which integrated the military. The US Air Force was the first to officially to institute policy. Lt. Colonel Woodrow Crockett flew during both World War II and the Korean War, receiving two soldiers’ awards for bravery, by saving two men’s lives on two separate occasions.

The exhibit contained pictures and artifacts from Lt Colonel Woodrow Crockett’s collection.

Photo gallery

Learn more

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African-Americans in the Military
Elementary bibliography
Adult bibliography

Tuskegee Airmen Web sites
Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
Ace Pilots Web site, with excerpts on Tuskegee Pilots
African American Web site with excerpt on Tuskegee Airmen
Air Force Base Museum
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc (Foundation for Tuskegee Airmen)

Red Tails: Tuskegee Airmen of World War II was voted best exhibit by the Arkansas Museum Association.